AWWA ACE60024

Drinking water providers are increasingly under pressure to develop water supplies that are resistant to drought, environmentally sound, adequate in quantity and high in quality. In many cases, this means integrating new, "alternative" water sources into historical water supply frameworks. The Tampa Bay Region, as most of Florida, has been almost entirely dependent on groundwater for its drinking water. Because of unacceptable, adverse environmental impacts, groundwater pumping in this region has been decreased and "alternative" supplies (treated saline and surface waters) have been incorporated into the region's potable supply system. These changes in supply sources mean changes in water quality. Although each supply is treated to meet local, state, and federal drinking water standards, the supplies are substantially different in a number of quality parameters. Large scale research efforts and pilot distribution system work identified potential distribution system challenges. Regional transmission system and distribution system water quality monitoring, compliance sampling, and customer complaints are being used by the regional utilities to gauge public response and the impacts of these new water supplies. Includes table, figures.